Enderby, British Columbia, is a charming city nestled in the North Okanagan region of Canada. Located between Armstrong and Salmon Arm, it's approximately 80 km north of Kelowna and 130 km east of Kamloops. The city is traversed by Highway 97A, with the Shuswap River marking its eastern and northeastern boundaries.
Enderby is home to two major schools: M.V. Beattie Elementary School and A.L. Fortune Secondary School. The former was rebuilt in 2012, reflecting the city's commitment to quality education.
The rural area surrounding Enderby is a tapestry of communities including Ashton Creek, Grandview Bench, Grindrod, Kingfisher, Mara, Splatsin Reserve, Springbend, and Trinity Valley. This rural expanse covers 2,108.46 square kilometres and features several smaller lakes, including Gardom Lake and Hidden Lake.
Enderby's history is as rich as its landscape. Initially known as Fortune's Landing, the city was renamed several times before settling on its current name in 1887. The name "Enderby" was inspired by a poem read at a local literary group meeting, which resonated with the townsfolk during a particularly high flood of the Shushwap river.
Enderby is situated at a latitude-longitude of 50°33′03.0″N 119°08′22.7″W, with an elevation of 360 metres.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Enderby had a population of 3,028 living in 1,436 of its 1,508 total private dwellings. This represented a 2.2% increase from its 2016 population of 2,964.
Enderby is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The city offers a variety of activities, including tubefloating, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, golfing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. It's home to the Enderby Memorial Arena and Curling Rink, ball diamonds, and an outdoor public pool. The Enderby Cliffs, a BC Provincial Park, is a popular hiking destination, along with Mara Provincial Park and Larch Hills.
Enderby boasts several unique attractions, including the world's largest reel lawnmower at the Deep Creek Tool Museum and the largest drive-in movie theatre screen in North America at the Starlight Drive-In Theatre. The city is also home to the Enderby Museum & Archives and the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre, a salmon hatchery and watershed learning centre.
The Splatsin Band, the original inhabitants of the area, are the southernmost tribe of the Secwepemc or Shuswap Nation. They are governed by an elected Chief and Council.
Enderby has also made its mark in popular culture. On February 17, 2015, Miss P, a 4-year-old Beagle from Enderby, won Best in Show at the 2015 Westminster Kennel Club all-breed dog show at Madison Square Garden in New York.
